The Council of Rhodes University has voted in favour of retaining the name of the institution of higher learning in Grahamstown
The University said in a statement on Wednesday that a motion was tabled for the change of the name of Rhodes University at its recent end-of-year Council Meeting.
"Out of 24 members of Council who were present and eligible to cast a ballot on this motion, nine members voted for the motion and 15 voted against the motion to change the name of Rhodes University," the Rhodes statement said.
"The matter of the name of the University has been taken very seriously by Council. It set in motion processes that would facilitate its speedy resolution. Given the University’s precarious financial position and the need for the University to prioritise transformation and be responsive to the challenges facing our society while maintaining its enviable academic credentials, the University cannot embark on a process of changing its name that will divert the limited resources it has."
"This has been a difficult decision to make and, regardless of the results of the ballot, there are no winners from this process. While democratic decision-making is, and must always be, respected as a cornerstone upon which we build the University, Council accepts that further actions must and will be taken to ensure that appropriate recognition is given to the hurt generated by the legacy of Cecil John Rhodes."
Rhodes said it remained committed to redressing the wrongs of the past and to building an even stronger institution that every African, including all the residents of Makana local municipality, can be proud of.
"It is incumbent on us to accept that, as is the case with many great institutions founded in the 19th century or earlier, contradictions have enabled positive changes that have sustained Rhodes University as the place “where leaders learn”, the Council statement said.
"It was at Rhodes University, in 1967, that Stephen Bantu Biko led black students out of the National Union of South Africa Students (NUSAS) slating, amongst others, an incomplete integration of student politics. In 1991, again at Rhodes University, the South African National Students Congress merged with NUSAS and formed the South African Students Congress. In Steve Biko’s honour, the Rhodes University student union building now bears his name."
Rhodes said there were many other South African liberation struggle icons who have been honoured in different ways, including through naming buildings and academic programmes after them. The families of Enoch Sontonga, Charlotte Maxeke and Robert Sobukwe have recently agreed to the use of the names of these icons in the renaming of some of the buildings on campus.
"These new names were approved by Council following requests from the students who live at the respective residences," Rhodes said.
